Hula_King

The biggest bass I've ever caught and my first master angler came right after a tornado and severe thunderstorm went through. We went out to a farm pond outside of town, and I don't think I've ever had as much fun out on a lake fishing. Lightning however, that's a different story. As soon as I see it (or hear the thunder) I'm out of there. The rule of thumb I was taught was that if you are close enough to hear the thunder, then are close enough to get struck by the lightning.

I wish I had your problem. In fact, I think everyone wants it. Although, I do tape BASS on ESPN and FLW on FSN every Saturday and Sunday mornings because I don't want to miss them when I'm out fishing.

Wow, I've been doing that for years. I'm glad that I've been using the right technique without even knowing it. I would caution everyone to be VERY careful when handling the fish around the gills, if you can't get the hook out in a short amount of time, it is best to just cut the line and return the fish to the water. Thanks for the article.

My grandpa got me started, and then my uncle really "taught" me how to fish. Some of my earliest memories are sitting in my uncle's boat fishing. Ah...those were the good ol' days.

This may be looking at it way too deep (or way out in left field), but it is a scientific fact that the human brain has a much more difficult time learning new things the older it gets. A young child can learn a foreign language in a matter weeks when a 60 year old could never become fluent. Just think how much the world of bass fishing has changed in the last 15-20 years! Yeah, we still have the plastic worm, spinnerbait, and jig, but look at everything else. The sport has finally passed him by, and he decided it was time to quit fighting it. It'll happen to me, and it'll happen to you one day. The only difference is that I'll continue my old habits while recreation fishing on the weekends while he was competeing for prizes and sponsorships in an ever-changing world.

My friend's birthday is coming up, and I'm looking for a book on bass fishing for him. I'm looking for something that's beyond the basic beginner level. I'd like it to have diagrams on rigging and using certain lures and techniques on locating bass. Anyway, what do you all recommend? I'd like it to really focus on the two things I mentioned. Is it possible to get all this indepth info in one book, or will a combination of several work? Thanks for your help ahead of time.

Personally, I would go with the effects of non native species. However for something new, you could look at the effects bass have on native species. Bass aren't native to many parts of the country. Bass have become the most sought after game fish in the US, while carp, drum, etc. have now become trash fish (and rightfully so IMHO ). Just a suggestion, and theirs a ton of research out there on those pesky zebra mussels.

Well, let's see here. The best bass fishing lake is the private farm pond about 3 miles from my house. I don't think the lake even has a name?!?!?!?

My neighbor's kid has a bluegill in a 10 gallon tank. He's kept it now for about two years. I figured it would have died long ago, but he transfers it to an outdoor pond/fountain thing during the summer. I remember watching some fishing show this fall where some professional fisherman, I think, had a huge aquarium inside his house with bass in it. They filmed him feeding goldfish to the bass; it was pretty cool to watch them.

Oh, I hear ya there. This has got to be the worst winter here in my neck of the woods. Temps have been uncharacteristically high; its been in the upper 40s and 50s the last couple of weeks. Its too warm for ice fishing, but its too cold to fish open water. :'( C'mon mother nature bring out the cold, so I can get some ice fishing in this winter!

I go whenever I can get the chance because I can never seem to get enought fishing in. If the Man is shinning down upon me and the solar system aligns, then its just an added bonus to another great day out on the lake.

Oh, I'm sure you could possiblely catch a fish or two if you lived down in the southern states where it's still warm. I view a dropshot rig as a bait that a fish has to see in order to bite. Add to the fact that a fish's strike zone is extremely small in the winter, I would go with a bait that causes vibrations when it's dark IMHO. I've had my best fishing in the winter in late morning and into the early afternoon, but as I've learned with bass, anything is possible.

I've fished out of a kayak a few times before. I think the only way to go would be to use the kind where you sit on top as opposed to tucking yourself inside. If you think landing a bass is tough check these links out: http://www.kayak4fish.com/ http://www.allsportfishing.com/articles/fishing_ski.html

My favorite fishing partener would have to be my uncle. He pretty much started me into fishing and has a wealth of knowledge. Besides that, we have a lot of fun out on the lake whether we're catching anything or not.

Oh, it sounds like that pound could be really fun to fish right now. I'd also through some kind of plastic hopped across the top of the leaves, and then just let it fall though sometimes. The same thing happens to a cove in my local pond. It can be one of my favorite spots to fish because the conditions only last for around 2 weeks each year.

Go and pick up a Zara Spook if you don't have one already. This is my confidence bait. If I can't catch a few quality bass with a silver flitter shad Spook, then the fish just aren't bitin'.

Yeah, but how do you fish hot dogs? Is it like using a weightless senko, or do you fish it more like a crankbait. Maybe if I try a twitch, twitch, pause, I could fish it like a Zara Spook. Never heard of using hot dogs for bass. I'm sure I could get a gar to bite on one though.

The bass I've been catching during the day have all been with 20 yards of shore along the weedline. I've been fishing late afternoon and early evening. Spinnerbaits just under the surface in the shallow water have been the ticket in my local pond. Of course, why mess with this summer heat when night fishing is where it's all at. Black spinnerbaits and topwater baits are all you need when it's dark out. FYI: use a Zara Spook and the fish will come to you!

Hey, this happened to me just yesterday. I was out on my good ol' test pond. I've been hauling in a good number of quality fish on a white spinnerbait the last couple of weeks. Well, after about 30 minutes without a bite, I sitched to a green/black/white spinnerbait, and I landed 8 keepers in about an hour. The only thing different between the two baits was the color of the skirt. However, when I usually fish, I try to find a particular lure and retrieval speed that brings me some success. After I land a few, I cycle through various colors of the same lure until I can find the one color that changes a good fishing trip into an excellent trip.

Yes, it seems I do that quite often really. Mostly, I try this when I'm sitting out on the dock. It's nice to cast out and try my luck with the bass, and haul in a decent size crappie on the other line. I usually use minnows when using live bait.

Oh, I usually go out of my way to explain what I'm using. Just like KU_Bassmaster said it's all about location. Besides, where would this forum be if no one shared any of their techniques. However, to give away my special spots is another issue for another day.

I use a slipknot bobber and hook the minnow through its lip. For a hook, I prefer aberdeen hooks. IMHO, slipknot bobbers are the way to go because you can fish the minnows at ANY depth and not have to worry about casting all that line out, which tends to be a problem with the regular bobbers.

Well, here in my neck of the woods, it has been in the 100's until the last few days. I've had luck with a white spinnerbait with a small Colorado blade in front and a large willow blade in the back. I've tried them with and without trailers and have not noticed a diiference. I've also enjoyed fishing the same white spinnerbait with two large willow blades with the front one reversed. I retrieve it very slowly and pause every once and awhile. Hey, this is also my first post. I've been lurking the last few weeks, and I thought it was about time in threw in my .02. Hi, all!